Page 23 - The Highlander Fall 2024

Next, we took the Gornergrat Railway. As the train climbed through forests and past snowy peaks, we felt like we were entering another world. At the summit, we were greeted with one of the most spectacular views we had ever seen. Standing at 3,089 meters, surrounded by more than 20 towering peaks, we had the best views of the Matterhorn.
From Zermatt, we hopped on a scenic train to Interlaken. The journey alone was worth the trip, as each turn revealed another breathtak- ing view of mountains, valleys, and lakes. Interlaken, nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, was an adventure lover’s dream.
Our time here was spent embrac- ing the thrill of the Swiss Alps. We couldn’t resist the draw of Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn, a famous filming location for the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The revolving restaurant offered 360-degree views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. As the restaurant slowly rotated, we enjoyed a lunch with views that seemed to go on forever.
We spent the next morning watching the paragliders sail over the lakes, walking through the picturesque town, and soaking in the views of the Jungfrau region. We treated ourselves to an elegant high tea at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa. Seated in the luxurious lounge, we were served tiered trays brimming with delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of Swiss pastries and cakes. Paired with a selection of fine teas from around the world, it was an elegant experience.
After our alpine adventures, we traveled to Zurich, Switzerland’s
largest city. Zurich offered a blend of history and modernity that was both relaxing and exciting, where the vibrancy of city life combined with the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and lakes. We explored the Old Town with its medieval architecture and wandered along Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s famous shopping street, filled with luxury boutiques.
We had a delicious meal at the Park Hyatt Zurich. The hotel’s Parkhuus Restaurant offered a sophisticated dining experience with its focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. In the evening, we strolled along the shores of Lake Zurich, reflecting on all the amazing places we had visited and the experiences we’d shared.
Throughout our trip, the trains themselves became part of the adventure. With the Swiss Travel Pass, we had unlimited access to trains, boats, and buses, making it easy to explore every corner of the country. Each train journey was like a scenic tour in its own right. They took us through stunning alpine landscapes, snowy peaks, deep valleys, and picturesque villages. It was the kind of journey where you don’t want to miss a single moment, as each view is more breathtaking than the last.
From the cosmopolitan elegance of Geneva to the towering peaks of Zermatt, the thrill of Interlaken, and the charm of Zurich, our journey through Switzerland was nothing short of extraordinary. Switzerland’s beauty is unmatched, and the convenience of its train system makes exploring the country a joy. We left Switzerland with our hearts full, our phones full of photos, and our bags full of chocolate, already dreaming of the day we could return.
UPCOMING TRAVEL DATES
OCTOBER 3, 2024
7-Night Secrets of Egypt and the Nile Cruise Ama Waterways on the AmaLilia
$75 per person shipboard credit
NOVEMBER 2, 2024
7-Night Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sandals Adults- only, All-inclusive Resort $250 per booking spa credit
JANUARY 6, 2025
19-Night Grand Australia
and New Zealand Tauck Tour Home/airport roundtrip transfers
APRIL 18, 2025
14-Night Southeast Asia and Hong Kong Viking on the Orion $100 per person shipboard credit
MAY 24, 2025
7-Night Impressions on the Seine and Paris Cruise Ama Waterways on the AmaDante $75 per person shipboard credit
Paige MacDonald, paige@adestinationtravel.com 702-606-0993 www.adestinationtravel.com
THE HIGHLANDER MAGAZINE | 23 | FALL 2024